Friday, June 12, 2009

HOUGHTON -- Relating a story about her own experience as a poll worker in Detroit during the historic November 2008 election -- trying to assist a young woman unable to vote for the first time because she was registered in a different precinct on the other side of the city, when polls were about to close -- Jocelyn Benson, author and law professor, introduced herself to Houghton County Democrats at their June 3 meeting as a 2010 candidate for Michigan Secretary of State.

"The laws should not be set up to block people from voting, period," Benson said. "That's what that young woman experienced."

"If we don't have access to the vote, then nothing else matters," Benson said. "If we can't choose who's making the laws, then what is democracy?"

Houghton was the last stop on Benson's statewide, 83-county, grassroots tour to announce her campaign to run for an office that, though statewide, is not included in the state primary elections (Candidates for Michigan Secretary of State are nominated at party conventions). After a long drive from below the Mackinac Bridge, Benson arrived just in time for a taste of the potluck dinner before giving an energetic talk that immediately captured the attention and admiration of Democrats attending the meeting in the Super 8 Motel.

"I'm impressed," said Anton Pintar, Houghton County Commissioner for District 3. "She has the perfect background for Secretary of State."

A Professor of Law at Wayne State University, Benson became a Marshall Scholar at Oxford University and received her law degree from Harvard University, where she became the Voting Rights Policy Coordinator of the Harvard Civil Rights Project and worked on passage of the federal Help America Vote Act.

Benson mentioned her experience working for the Southern Poverty Law Center as an investigative journalist studying hate groups. Living in Alabama, Benson said, she developed a commitment to continuing the work that had been done to defend our democracy and a commitment to do whatever she could to assure that the vote was accessible to everyone.

After that experience, Benson decided to work on legislation that would protect access to the vote.

"And then the 2000 election happened," she said.

Secretary of State decisions affect election results

Benson recalled how Florida's Secretary of State made small decisions, like removing people from the rolls and certifying an election before a full recount had happened. Benson said these were decisions that led to the election of George W. Bush in a way that many people believed was inaccurate.

"In my view it's the Secretary of State's job to make sure that that election reflects the will of the voters," Benson noted, "but in Florida we didn't see that."

In 2004 Benson worked with the Democratic National Committee to set up a national voter protection program -- putting about 17,000 people in the polls on election day to make sure the law was followed. Then Ohio happened, she said.

Ohio's Secretary of State put more electronic voting machines in rural areas than in Cleveland, where most voters vote Democratic, causing the city voters to wait in long lines. Again, she explained, small decisions by the Secretary of State affected the outcome, which many people still think may not have reflected the will of Ohio voters.

Benson contrasted these decisions with the positive innovation made by a former Michigan Secretary of State, Richard Austin -- the "motor voter" law that allows voter registration through the Michigan driver's license.

"That was his idea," she said, "and it became a national policy. So Michigan historically has been a state that's led the way. It's been a state that people have looked to for ideas."

Benson said Michigan is at a turning point where it needs to be an innovator again.

"And so I'm running for Secretary of State so we that we can make that office an innovator again," Benson said.

For her new book, Democracy and the Secretary: the Crucial Role of State Secretaries of State in Promoting Democracy, Benson said she interviewed innovative, inspiring secretaries of state -- both Democrats and Republicans -- around the country, learning much about how they used their office to improve elections. Benson began writing the book, she said, because she wanted to show how important the office of Secretary of State is for democracy.

Benson mentioned how Ohio's Secretary of State spoke out in September 2008 against false rumors that people facing foreclosure would be blocked from voting (which would be illegal), while Michigan's Secretary of State failed to do the same to cancel similar rumors in Michigan. Benson noted this incident was a turning point in her decision to run for the office.

"Voters need to know that their Secretary of State is a friend, is an ally, is on their side and is fighting for them," Benson said. "I'm running because I want to make sure that that office is accessible to everyone across the state, is responsive to everyone across the state and is accountable to every single voter and citizen in the state."

Local Dems "very impressed" by Benson

Benson answered several questions from the audience on such topics as registration laws, potential registration on election day, student voting, electronic voting and poll-worker training.

Brian Hoduski, Houghton County Democrats co-chair, mentioned the lack of poll-worker training that led to local voters being turned away during the last election for not having an I.D. (Some poll workers were unaware that the I.D. was not a requirement).

Rick Kasprzak of Calumet confirmed that a sign about an I.D. requirement in Calumet on the last election day led to voters being turned away. He asked what could be done in such an instance on election day.

Benson said the Secretary of State's office would have a hotline people could call and comment cards in every precinct to report violations of the law. She would also insist on a uniform standard of training to inform all poll workers of the law.

Several people attending the meeting echoed Anton Pintar's positive reaction to Benson's talk.

"I was very impressed," said Ann Pace of Hancock. "When she was asked a question she gave very detailed, direct and thoughtful answers."

Janet Gregorich of Painesdale described Benson as "extremely enthusiastic" and having "great ideas."

Gregorich's sister, Joanne Kyle, a seasonal visitor to the area, mentioned Benson's emphasis on the importance of the office of Secretary of State.

"I think it's as important as every other elected official in every state, especially because of the voting issues we've had," Kyle said. "We lost Ohio and Florida because of the Secretary of State's incompetence."

Benson's talk was "excellent," according to Barbara Manninen of Hancock.

"She made that office come alive," Manninen said. "It was like a tree full of ripe fruit. She has such a commitment."

Huduski said he was excited to hear Benson was coming to Houghton because he had seen her on the T.V. program, "Off the Record" and was impressed.

"It's important that we send someone to the State Democratic Convention to nominate her," he added.

Hoduski pointed out that Secretary of State is one of only four statewide offices. Of the other three -- Attorney General, Governor and Lieutenant Governor, only the latter two are listed on the primary ballot. Both Secretary of State and Attorney General are nominated in state party conventions.

For more information about Jocelyn Benson and her campaign, visit her Web site.

HANCOCK -- Environmental and nature art by K-12 students from around Michigan is currently on display in the Youth Gallery of the Copper Country Community Art Center (CCCAC) in Hancock.

"River of Beavers" by John Xuecheng Fan from Wines Elementary in Ann Arbor, Mich. Click on photo for larger version. (Photos courtesy Copper Country Community Arts Center)

The art in this exhibit represents a wide range of entries to the River of Words Poetry and Art contest, a national Library of Congress and River of Words project coordinated at the state level by the CCCAC staff. Each year, in affiliation with The Library of Congress Center for the Book, River of Words conducts a free international poetry and art contest for youth on the theme of watersheds. The contest is designed to help youth explore the natural and cultural history of the place they live and to express, through poetry and art, what they discover.

"Fish" by Annie Huang of Wines Elementary, Ann Arbor, Mich.

According to Cynthia Coté, CCCAC director, "The entries hanging in the gallery demonstrate the creativity and natural aspirations of young people toward an integrated life with nature."

The River of Words exhibit will be on display though July 3. The Community Arts Center is located at 126 Quincy Street, Hancock. For more information call 482-2333 or e-mail ccarts@chartermi.net.

HOUGHTON -- When IBM set its sights on becoming an international rail transportation leader, one of the first university partners they turned to was Michigan Tech. Michigan Tech's Rail Transportation Program is an emerging player educating future leaders for the rail industry.

"Countries worldwide are recognizing the importance of rail transportation and are accelerating their efforts to develop 21st-century rail systems," said Lautala. "With its Global Rail Innovation Center, IBM is modeling a new way of thinking, one that is not bound by national borders. Michigan Tech is honored that IBM has recognized our leadership in rail-related research and education and has invited us to participate in such a groundbreaking effort."

Thursday, June 11, 2009

HANCOCK -- "Suave, urbane, risqué, a carnation in the lapel and a wry grin" -- that’s Cole Porter, according to Jerry DePuit, the director of Pine Mountain Music Festival’s "Cole Porter Revue" which will play at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 19, at the Calumet Theatre in Calumet. Tickets are $20 and are available at the Calumet Theatre Box Office, the Rozsa Center Box Office and at the door.

Jerry DePuit, director of Pine Mountain Music Festival’s "Cole Porter Revue," to be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 19, at the Calumet Theatre. (Photo courtesy Pine Mountain Music Festival)

This will be one of the first events in the Festival’s 2009 season and promises to be a crowd-pleaser.

"Bursting out of the Roaring 20s, Cole Porter took Broadway by storm and elevated musical theater to new heights of sophistication for three decades," says DePuit.

The audience will be treated to 40 of Porter’s greatest hits in an evening that is elegant, fun and maybe a bit naughty -- and definitely very social.

The singers will be the six Resident Opera Artists hired for this season by the Festival. They were selected through nationwide auditions from a pool of over 400 applicants. Joshua Major, artistic director of the Festival, says, "This year’s artists are among the most talented we have ever had, and should bring a lot of pleasure to everyone."

The Pine Mountain Music Festival presents a season of opera, classical and jazz music in June-July in the Dickinson County area, the Marquette area, the Keweenaw Peninsula and other smaller towns in the Upper Peninsula and northeastern Wisconsin. Headquartered in Hancock, Michigan, it is supported by donations, ticket sales and grants. Visit the web at pmmf.org, or call 1-877-746-3999 for tickets or 888-309-7861 for more information.

HOUGHTON -- It's conventional wisdom in atmospheric science circles: large raindrops fall faster than smaller drops because they're bigger and heavier. And no raindrop can fall faster than its "terminal speed"-- its speed when the downward force of gravity is exactly the same as the upward air resistance.

Now two physicists from Michigan Tech University and colleagues at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (National University of Mexico) have discovered that it ain't necessarily so.

Some smaller raindrops can fall faster than bigger ones. In fact, they can fall faster than their terminal speed. In other words, they can fall faster than drops of that size and weight are supposed to be able to fall.

And that could mean that the weatherman has been overestimating how much it rains.

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

HANCOCK -- The public will have an opportunity to recycle outdated or non-working household electronics from 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday, June 13, at the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (540 Depot St., a block south of eastbound US 41) in Hancock.

For more details, see www.wupdhd.org and click on the RSVP "Electronics Recycling" link or call Barb Maronen at the health department (482-7382). There will also be collections on July 11 in Baraga and Ontonagon Counties (details TBA) that are open to all western U.P. residents.

If you have still-usable electronic items to donate, check with local thrift shops (Goodwill, Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul). Reusing is even better than recycling!

While Michigan Tech's Center for Science and Environmental Outreach is helping to publicize this "Electronics Recycling," please note that Michigan Tech-owned electronics are recycled through the University's e-waste program.

Monday, June 08, 2009

HOUGHTON -- Opening day activities and registration for the Portage Lake District Library’s "Be Creative at Your Library" Summer Reading Program begin from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 13.

Kids are invited to make art outdoors, weather permitting; and indoors everyone can create his or her own ice cream sundae in the community room. In addition, balloon artist John Gershenson will make balloon creations for kids.

Registration will continue throughout the eight week program. Participants will receive a book bag when they register, and prizes will be awarded as they progress through their reading lists. The Summer Reading Program is open to all ages, children through adults; and reading logs may include books, magazines, audio books, reading to young children or being read to. The Summer Reading Program ends on Saturday, August 8.

Throughout the summer, the library will host programs and offer weekly Storytimes and projects. Look for listings of programs and events in the library, in the media and at the library's Web site.

Everyone is invited to join the fun and be creative at the Portage Lake District Library!

HOUGHTON -- The Copper Country Community Arts Center (CCCAC) and the City of Houghton present the 8th annual Houghton Spring Art and Music Festival from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 13. This year the new location will be along Shelden Avenue, downtown Houghton.

The festival’s outstanding features include about 30 artist booths and demos, free family art activities, CCCAC Extreme Bake Sale, prizes from downtown businesses and an awesome music line up. Food will be on site with T’s Taste of Chicago.

This year also features a "Frog Hop" activity. We’ve received generous prizes and support from The Library, Down Wind Sports, Wicker and Willow, The Edge, The Lunch Bag, Good Times Music, The Blue Iris and Silver Rae Bead Studio. Stop by the Arts Center booth during the festival to pick up a Frog Hop card to take to our supporting businesses and receive a frog stamp. Fill up your card with all eight stamps and return it to the Arts Center booth to be placed in a drawing for prizes. Participants must be 18+ and present to win and will be announced before the final performance.

Speaking of the final performance, this year's headlining act will be P.J. Olsson, who will be performing with over twelve young musicians ages fifteen and under as well as a hip-hop dance team. Participants are in P.J.'s "Rock Camp 2009." Visit their website for details.

HOUGHTON -- As Michigan's growing health care crisis continues to worsen, citizens are joining health care experts at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, at a forum on "Finding Solutions to the Health Care Crisis." The forum will be held at the Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in the BHK Child Development Center (Head Start building) in Houghton.

At the event, panelists will lay out national and statewide health care problems and solutions and then will call on citizens to take action for health care reform and to advocate for a public choice plan that would offer all Michigan families access to health care coverage. The forum is free and open to the public.

Panelists include the following: Dr. Richard Imm, Western U.P. Health Care Access Coalition; Rev. Robert White, United Methodist Church Keweenaw Parish; Dr. Fredi de Yampert, president, League of Women Voters of the Copper County and co- dean, Finlandia University College of Health Science; Barbara McLean, Finlandia University visiting assistant professor of Psychology/Human Services, who recently returned from a trip to study Finland’s health care system. Also attending will be State Representative Mike Lahti (D-Hancock).

The BHK Child Development Center is at 700 Park Ave., north of Econo Foods in Houghton. Use the Waterworks Drive entrance and parking lot on the north side of the building.

This event is sponsored by Catholic Charities of the Upper Peninsula, Child Care Providers Together Michigan, Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, League of Women Voters of the Copper Country, Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network, Michigan Universal Health Care Access Network, Western Upper Peninsula Health Access Coalition and the United Methodist Church Keweenaw Parish.

Sunday, June 07, 2009

HANCOCK -- Do you know anyone who has given of Heart and Hands in the service of peace, justice or the environment in our local community? Please consider nominating this person (or couple) for this year’s Heart and Hands of the Keweenaw Award. The nomination form only takes a moment to fill out, and the recognition will mean a lot to a deserving individual!

The winners of this award will be honored during a 4th of July Celebration in Hancock. They will have their names engraved on the beautiful wooden sculpture (pictured here) and will be given $1000 to be designated to the non-profit charity of their choice. Nominations are due June 22, 2009, so get your nomination in as soon as possible! Nomination forms can be obtained from Terry Kinzel at 482-6827 or via e-mail at tkinzel@pasty.net.

Nominations should include a description of how the candidate has had a significant impact on the Keweenaw community in the area of peace, justice, human needs and/or environmental stewardship. Please be specific about what form their contribution or involvement has taken. Again, for more information, contact Terry Kinzel at 482-6827 or tkinzel@pasty.net.

Editor's Note:Keweenaw Now's editor, Michele Bourdieu, was honored to receive the 2008 Heart and Hands of the Keweenaw Award. Save the Wild UP, a non-profit environmental group in Marquette, concerned with the potential dangers of sulfide and uranium mining proposals for the Upper Peninsula, was pleased to receive our $1000 designation.

Tickets are $19 for adults, $6 for youth, and no charge for Michigan Tech students with the Experience Tech fee. Tickets are available by phone at (906) 487-2073, online at Rozsa.mtu.edu, in person at the Central Ticketing Office in the Student Development Complex, or at the Rozsa Box Office which opens two hours prior to the performance.

Slide Show: Christmas in Calumet 2016

Christmas in Calumet continues this Saturday, Dec. 10, with wagon rides, visits with Santa at the Vertin Gallery, and more. Click on the photo above to see our slide show of Calumet on Dec. 3: the Poor Artists Sale, Santa, and art gallery exhibits. Click on any photo and follow the arrows. To read captions, click on the info icon.

+News Briefs / Announcements

Family and support people for individuals living with serious mental illness such as major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, can register for a free course from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)/Keweenaw Area chapter. The series of 12 sessions is structured to help caregivers understand and support individuals while maintaining their own well-being. The course, designated an evidence-based practice by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is taught by a team of trained NAMI family member volunteers who know what it is like to have a loved one struggling with one of these brain disorders. Classes will be held from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. starting Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, in Houghton. They are for support people only. Pre-Registration is required and is open now. Call Bill or Barry Elizabeth Fink at 482-4632.......Do you participate in a book group? The Portage Lake District Library is creating a list of local book groups for all ages and would like to hear about yours. Useful information includes the name of your group and contact person, a theme if you have one, and dates and time that you meet. Please also say if your book group is for adults, teens, or grade school students. For more information, please call Chris at the library at 482-4570.......Storytime for the school year at the Portage Lake District Library is held from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. every Wednesday and Thursday. Young children are invited to come for stories, craft projects, occasional music, and lots of fun. For special Storytimes on Saturdays, please look for announcements on library posters and on the library’s website. Children are also encouraged to use the Children’s Listening Center at the library to enjoy music, foreign languages, and stories on CDs. Up to four people at a time can use the equipment, including parents who want to help their children learn another language or simply enjoy music or a good book together. Please ask a librarian to help you get started. All library programs are free and everyone is welcome. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570.......HEET (Houghton Energy Efficiency Team) is planning a 2016 Winterization Campaign and Efficiency Challenge. Local businesses, organizations and church groups are getting involved. HEET has moved into a new office in Hancock at 422 Quincy St. in Hancock. Click here for info.

Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club

Houghton County Democratic Party

Waste Management Garbage and Recycling new schedule for Hancockstarted on Sept. 12, 2016.- All items need to be out by 7 a.m.-Weekly same day pick up for garbage and recycling (using a new dual garbage truck)-Pick Up Day Change affects some neighborhoods:-East of Elevation Street will be on Monday.-West of Elevation Street will be on Wednesday.*Pick up for residents living on Elevation, S. Elevation and N. Elevation Streets will be on WEDNESDAY.-Any container will work for recycling. Some people are painting or taping (recycling) on the bins they now use or you can purchase a new recycling bin from McGann’s or Risto’s.-Single stream will continue for all items including glass and clean pizza boxes!-Service is also available to small commercial.-The City still has a recycling drop off at the DPW Garage (1601 Tomasi Drive)QUESTIONS: Call Bill Marlor, DPW, 482-1480 or Glenn Anderson, City Manager, 482-1121.Click here for Waste Management's new list of acceptable and unacceptable items for recycling.Thank you for your participation.

Slide Show: 2015 Parade of Nations

Click on the photo above to access this slide show. Then click on the first photo and follow the right arrows. To view the captions click on the info icon.

Slide Shows: Family fun with science, more ...

Our recent slide shows highlight the Keweenaw Science and Engineering Festival (KSEF) and Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC) community events held Aug. 4 - 6, 2016; the 2016 Keweenaw Science Fair winners honored by Carnegie Museum; and the Lake Superior Celebration at GLRC in April 2016.

The new slide shows can be accessed as follows: Click here or on the photo above for the slide show of the Aug. 5, 2016, Keweenaw Water Festival at Michigan Tech's Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC). Click here for the Aug. 4 and Aug. 6 Keweenaw Science and Engineering (KSEF) family events held in Houghton's Kestner Waterfront Park, and click here for photos of some 2016 Science Fair winners and highlights of the April 26, 2016, Lake Superior Celebration sponsored by the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative, Michigan STEM Partnership, the Copper Country Recycling Initiative and more. For each slide show, click on the first photo in the album and click the info icon in the top right corner for the caption. Then click on forward arrows to view the photos as a slide show.

Copyright Policy

For our copyright policy, please click here or email us if you wish to use any of the photos or video clips by Keweenaw Now. Photos by guest photographers are copyrighted and you must seek their permission for re-use. This policy applies to the photos in our slide shows as well. Please do not share photos taken by guest photographers without their permission.

Eagle Rock, 2010: Slide show

In May 2010, concerned Native and non-Native citizens camped, prayed and planted a garden at Eagle Rock, an Ojibwa sacred site, which was blasted for the portal to the Rio-Tinto-Kennecott Eagle Mine. The mine, now in operation, was sold to Lundin Mining Corporation of Toronto. Click on photo above to access a photo album on Eagle Rock protests in May 2010. Click on the first photo in the album and then on the info icon to view captions if they are not visible on the right. To view the photos as a slide show, click on the forward arrows.

Keweenaw Now is on TWITTER. Scroll down this column to see our latest Tweets.

Save the Wild UP

Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve

Friends of the Land of Keweenaw

Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition

The Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition's mission is protecting and maintaining the unique environmental qualities of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan by educating the public and acting as a watchdog to industry and government. Visit UPEC on Facebook.

Portage Lake District Library

Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District

HKCD's 2016 Tree Sale has found a home for every tree and plant. Gina Nicholas, HKCD president, thanks the volunteers and friends who helped make the sale a success. HKCD donated some plants and trees to the school gardens at Calumet, Chassell and Houghton. "It is great that the schools are helping children gain first hand experience about gardening and where the food we eat comes from," Nicholas said.

Save the Water's Edge

Finlandia University

Stewards of Bete Grise Preserve

A Rascal's Craft

The poetic musings of Eelu Kiviranta, a Finnish immigrant and self-proclaimed rascal. Side-by-side Finnish with English translation by Lillian Lehto. Introduction by Steve Lehto. Includes "The Copper Country Strike of 1913." Available from Amazon or the translator, 1419 Yosemite, Birmingham, MI 48009, $19.95. Click on cover to see Youtube video.

Distant Drum

Original clothing and wall pieces custom designed and sewn by Andrea Puzakulich in the Keweenaw for 25 years. Distant Drum is located in Hancock's Historic E.L.Wright Bldg. Open most weekday afternoons. Call ahead.

Calumet Art Center

Click above to learn about new classes starting in February 2016.

New edition of book by Steve Lehto

Click on book cover to access Steve's Facebook page on the Italian Hall disaster.

Red Circle Consulting

Mike Lahti at State Farm

Copper Country Community Arts Center

Keweenaw BEST!

Michigan League of Conservation Voters

What Is Sustainable

Author Richard Adrian Reese recounts how his life took a new direction after 9 years of simple living in the Keweenaw -- and offers a new worldview for a sustainable future.

Welcome to Keweenaw Now!

Welcome to our Keweenaw Now blog. This site, the sequel to the Web site www.keweenawnow.com, officially began on September 1, 2007. The Blogger format allows you, our readers, to comment on any post. Read our articles here and send us your comments and suggestions! Your comment will come to us on email (without showing your email address) and as long as it's not objectionable we will post it on the article page. Please note: Right now the comments do not appear on the home page; but, if you click on the headline of an article, it will go to the article's own (archive) page, where comments do appear and where you can reply to them. Click on the comment link below the article to send us a comment. Sometimes the number of comments is indicated on that link on the home page. It may take some time for it to appear.

In addition, Keweenaw Now offers editing -- including editing of scholarly papers in various fields -- and some translation services. We can also help you write or edit the text on your Web site.

Iraq death count

Weather

More stories in our Archives ...

If you missed one of our previous articles, you can find all of them archived through links in the right-hand column. Click on the week you missed, and the headlines of articles for that week will appear as links you can click on to read the story on its own page.